Engagement season is here, and at Coyote Creek Golf Club in beautiful Morgan Hill, California, we know how exciting and overwhelming those first moments after saying “yes” can be. Between sharing the news with loved ones and dreaming up wedding day visions, there are a few key steps that help make the journey to your big day smoother and more organized.
Whether you’re just starting your wedding planning or have already begun mapping it out, here are 7 things you need to do first after getting engaged — and how you can make the most of engagement season right here at Coyote Creek.
1. Enjoy the Moment
Take a second to slow down and pause. Now’s the time to embrace this special moment between you and your fiancé as you begin this new chapter of your lives together.
It can be tempting to jump straight into planning, but this is a once-in-a-lifetime milestone. Celebrate in a way that feels meaningful to you, whether that’s a quiet night in, a weekend getaway, or a celebratory dinner with loved ones. Giving yourselves time to be present helps ground everything that comes next.
2. Talk to Your Fiancé
Plan ahead and discuss important details (such as budget, guest list, and wedding party) before talking to anyone else. Focus on what really matters to each other. Ask each other important questions.
Remember, this is your special day.
Open communication early on makes a huge difference. Talking through priorities, expectations, and non-negotiables helps you stay aligned as decisions start to pile up. These early conversations create a shared vision and prevent outside opinions from steering your plans before you’ve defined them together.
3. Tell Your Close Circle
Call your friends and family to let them know about your exciting news. They’ll appreciate hearing about it before you post it to your socials.
Go out for a celebratory drink and plan your engagement party!
Sharing your engagement personally with those closest to you makes the moment feel even more special. It also allows you to enjoy genuine reactions before the wider announcement. This can be a great time to start thinking about how you want to celebrate your engagement, whether that’s a small gathering or a larger party.
4. Pick Your Date
Do you share a favorite season? Spring, summer, fall, and winter are all great times to have a wedding, and each brings its own charm.
The season and day of the week you choose may impact your budget. Be sure to be mindful of your guests’ schedules too.
Choosing a date helps unlock many of the next planning steps. Flexibility can be helpful here, especially if you’re considering popular months or venues. Thinking through seasonality, guest travel, and budget early on can make scheduling much easier down the line.
5. Pick a Venue
After putting together your guest list and budget, choose a venue that aligns with your vision.
Will you need a single spot for both your ceremony and reception? Is the wedding outdoors? Is your date flexible?
Your venue sets the foundation for your entire wedding day. It influences layout, guest experience, décor, and even your timeline. Touring venues early allows you to picture how your day will flow and helps narrow down your overall style and priorities.
6. Get Creative
Put together an inspiration board for your dream wedding. Pinterest and Instagram are great places to start.
Narrow down your style and get a better understanding of your colors, florals, décor, and wedding attire.
Have fun with it!
This is where planning gets fun. Gathering inspiration helps you visualize your day and communicate your ideas clearly to vendors. Over time, patterns will emerge that help define your style, whether it’s classic, modern, romantic, or relaxed.
7. Plan Your Announcement
Create your wedding website and share your love story.
Post your engagement photos and send out save-the-dates.
Include key event details and any fun extras (ex: meet the wedding party, activities for out-of-towners).
Your announcement is the first glimpse guests get into your wedding experience. A wedding website keeps everything organized in one place and helps guests feel informed and excited. Including personal touches makes it feel welcoming and uniquely yours.
As you move from “just engaged” to officially planning, remember that your venue plays a big role in shaping the experience. Choosing a place that aligns with your vision, timeline, and guest experience can make the rest of the planning feel much more manageable. Engagement season is the perfect time to explore options and start imagining what your day could look like.
Ready to start planning?
Contact us today to tour the venue and begin your journey down the aisle.